April 2026 Tidbits from the Museum Series

Geronimo: An Unwanted Visitor in 1886 at Calabasas ( Present-day Rio Rico)

By Danny Koskuba

Calabasas/Rio Rico was the site of the Peck Massacre that occurred on April 27, 1886. Geronimo and his band attacked the Peck Homestead killing his wife, son and unborn child, and kidnapping his cousin, Trini Verdin. Peck’s ranch hand, Charlie Owen, was away tending cattle when the atrocity occurred.

Peck Canyon ( Exit 22 off I-19) was named in Peck’s honor by the AZ State Geographic Board in 1930. RRHS museum display highlights this tragedy.

On a lighter note, one of our members has collected Geronimo & Apache memorabilia over the years and some of his vast collection is on display in our RRHS museum.

Being the most recognizable American Indian in the world, Geronimo’s name and image have cornered the American West tourist & nostalgic market. On display are post cards, portraits, coffee mugs, poker chips, Haitian currency, toys, wood carvings, etc…even a cigarette pack and lighter from the Baltic country of Lativa honoring the war leader. A total of 39 objects are on display.